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Details Title: Chapter 10 Description: Elections and Campaigns Total Flash Cards: 19 Created: 11/12/2007 07:58:20	To study from this set of flash cards, or to create your own your own study flash cards, register HERE. If you are already a registered user, CLICK HERE.
Cards Term incumbent Definition the person already holding an elective office Term coattails Definition the alleged tendency of candidates to win more votes in an election because of the presence at the top of hte ticket of a better-known candidate, such as the president Term political action committee Definition a committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations Term malapportionment Definition dr5awing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population Term gerrymandering Definition drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party Term sophomore surge Definition an increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection Term position issues Definition an issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political parties adopt different policy positions Term valence issue Definition an issue about which the public is united and rival candidates or political parties adopt similar positions in hopes that each will be thought to best represent those widely shared beliefs Term general election Definition an election held to choose which candidate will hold office Term primary election Definition an election in which voting is limited to already registered party members Term closed primary Definition a primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party members Term open primary Definition a primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place Term blanket primary Definition a primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties Term runoff primary Definition a second primary election held when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary Term independent expenditures Definition spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them. Term soft money Definition funds obtained by political parties that are spent on party activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, but not on behalf of a specific candidate Term 527 organizations Definition organizations that, under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, raise and spend money to advance political causes Term prospective voting Definition voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling issues Term retrospective voting Definition voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office